Bachelor Degree

[Russell Wilson]Russell Wilson is an Adjunct Professor of Keyboard at Virginia Commonwealth University.A native of Memphis, Tennessee, he is an outstanding classical and jazz pianist who received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Memphis State University.Formerly a member of Virginia Union University's faculty, he now teaches at VCU and at the University of Richmond.Wilson performs regularly with the Russell Wilson Quartet and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.

Wilson enjoys a distinguished career as a solo and chamber music performer.He is the principal pianist of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and the Richmond Sinfonia, where he has performed as a soloist and accompanied such world-class artists as Mel Tormé, Dick Hyman, Cab Calloway, Chet Atkins, Steve Allen, and Carol Lawrence.Wilson's performances over the years have been numerous and varied: as pianist with the Joe Kennedy Quartet at the National Association of Jazz Educators Conference in Atlanta; with the Louisville Symphony Orchestra as accompanist for flutist Leslie Burrs; and at the Smithsonian Institution as pianist with Trio Pro Viva, a chamber ensemble devoted to the performance of music by black composers.As a soloist, he has performed Beethoven's Piano Concert No. 1 in C major with the Petersburg Symphony Orchestra; Duke Ellington's New World a'Comin' with the New River Valley and the Richmond Symphony orchestras, and Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major.Wilson was also selected to perform in master classes conducted by Earl Wild and Leon Fleisher.

In addition to his performances, Wilson has conducted improvisational workshops with violinist Joe Kennedy, Jr., for the Richmond Music Teachers Association, Richmond Jazz Society, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and Virginia State University.He has also presented benefit concerts for American Field Services and Richmond Area Retarded Citizens.

As a recording artist, he is featured as soloist on Moonlight Piano and The Memphis Convention.During the summer of 1995 he became pianist for the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra conducted by David Baker and Gunther Schuller and began touring with the SJMO in January, 1996, in celebration of the Smithsonian's 150th year.The group has since traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, France, London, Istanbul, Helsinki, and The Hague, performing The Cotton Club Revue, featuring the music of Duke Ellington.During July, 2002, in conjunction with the Smithsonian Associates and RAICES Latin Music Museum, Wilson presented a lecture/performance at the Museum of the City of New York.His program traced the development of Latin jazz and its influence on American jazz.He received the 2002 VCU Theresa Pollak Award for excellence in the arts.

Russell Wilson, pianist, earned a Bachelor's degree in classical piano performance and a Masters degree in jazz, both from the University of Maryland in College Park.In 2002, while a junior in college, he joined the President's Own US Marine Band where he plays all kinds of music

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styles on the piano, harpsichord, accordion, and keyboard in public concerts and private receptions at the White House and around the DC Area.
In 2010, Russell won 2nd place in the World Championship Old Time Piano Playing contest in Peoria, IL.
Russell is married to Elizabeth and they live in College Park, MD.

In 2010, pianist Russell Wilson won first place in the Carolina Ragtime Competition and second place in the World Championship Old Time Piano Playing contest in Peoria.As a member of the President's Own U.S. Marine Band, he plays music in many styles for public concerts and private events at the White House and throughout the metropolitan area.Trained in classical piano performance, Wilson also has a master's degree in jazz.

Russell Wilson, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, is an outstanding classical and jazz pianist who received his B.M. and M.M. degrees from the University of Memphis (formerly Memphis State University).Formerly a member of Virginia Union University's music faculty, he now teaches at the University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University, performs with the Russell Wilson Quartet, the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra and was pianist with the Joe Kennedy Quartet.

Wilson enjoys a distinguished career as a solo and chamber performer.

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Wilson has performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major with the Petersburg Symphony Orchestra; Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major with the Reston Community Orchestra; Duke Ellington's New World a' Comin' with the New River Valley, Richmond Symphony and Arkansas Symphony orchestras.
His 2006 performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue with the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra contained improvisational interludes interlaced with the usual solo passages.